1898 
“PUREBRED STOCK” A MISNOMER. 
WHITE AND RED ON MINORCAS. 
I bought some eggs from a man for genuine 
Black Minorcas. The chicks had white feathers 
in the wings, which, I think, now they are half 
grown, have changed to black. The cocks have 
a good many reddish-colored feathers around the 
neck and on the back. I complained to the man 
that they could not be pure. He says that they 
are, but that the Minorca is a cross of Brown 
Leghorn and Black Spanish, and that these are 
breeding back. Will you throw some light upon it ? 
Richmond, Va. j. c. 
For white feathers to appear in the 
earliest plumage of the young of black 
breeds of poultry, is quite the common 
thing. The color, as well as the sub¬ 
stance of the feather, must be simul¬ 
taneously developed, a process easily 
accomplished at the moult of the mature 
specimen ; but in the case of the chick, 
this exhaustive work has to be carried 
on in conjunction with the evolution of 
the entire organism, and color growth, 
for a season, lags behind. White is to 
be reckoned a foreign color only with 
the distinction that, being a condition 
of absence of any secreted pigment, it 
may appear whenever color secretion is 
dormant. During the period of maximum 
vigor, or middle life, the secretion of 
color proceeds unimpeded ; but in youth 
and age, the appearance of this tendency 
is the normal, not the abnormal, occur¬ 
rence. The rule applies with humans as 
well. Most are waxen-haired in infancy ; 
and if retribution for our sins do not 
sooner overtake us. we may all live to 
“ moult white.” 
Hut the appearance of red feathers in 
a nominally black variety of fowls, is a 
more serious matter. Were the breed a 
Cochin, a Wyandotte, or a Leghorn, the 
schedules of which breeds call for a car¬ 
cass surcharged with red pigment (yel¬ 
low internally), and exerting a constant 
tendency to creep outward into the plum¬ 
age, it could be reckoned as nothing 
anomalous for stock purporting to be of 
the best, to sport the red. Hut with such 
breeds as the one in question—including 
besides the Minorca, the Langslian and, 
Hamburg, red being to these essentially 
foreign—for such defect to appear in 
their plumage, is a gross violation of the 
eternal fitness of things. From the best 
of my knowledge, the Minorca in its 
purity does not customarily throw these 
red hackles, and I should consider it 
good ground for complaint to have such 
hatch from eggs or stock bought. How¬ 
ever, there are Minorcas and Minorcas. 
The prevalence of the American strains, 
having Leghorn blood in their make-up, 
should necessitate the foresight upon the 
buyer’s part to have it specified that 
stock purchased be of the imported, irp- 
to-size, up-to-color stock. New York and 
adjoining States are overflowing with 
breeders of reliable stock of this breed. 
To pay a fair price to a reputable breed¬ 
er is a vastly different thing from buy¬ 
ing dollar eggs from one who has no 
reputation. In the purchase of breeding 
stock, two pertinent maxims should be 
borne in mind: “ The best is good 
enough,” and “ Do not expect much from 
little.” However, to claim in extenua¬ 
tion of red-hackled Minorcas that they 
originated in a cross of Leghorn and 
Spanish, while indisputably true of the 
stock of the dealer in question, indicates 
a lamentable state of mind, either of 
absolute ignorance, or a disposition to 
simulate the same. 
The term purebred is hardly applicable 
to our gallinaceous fowls, not only be¬ 
cause all varieties have, undoubtedly, 
had an origin largely composite, but for 
the fact, not so generally suspected, that 
few of the so-called “ pure ” breeds have 
escaped crossing with the blood of others 
at some period in their history, with the 
object of facilitating development along 
the line indicated by their advancing 
ideal. For the Standard is a matter of 
constant growth, shifting its position to 
keep pace with the advancement in hu¬ 
man tastes and sentiments known as the 
fashion. When a breed’s capacity to 
respond to its advanced ideal is found to 
be restricted, and another breed possesses 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
larger opportunities to supply the de¬ 
sired characteristic, the cross is made, 
either by accident or design, and the 
public fails to receive official notification 
of the event—generally by design. So it 
happens that the thorough breeding 
necessary to efface the traces of such 
crossing, constitutes such stock thorougli- 
bred, according to the authorized mean¬ 
ing of the term, “ bred from the best 
blood.” 
The question naturally arises in the 
mind, Is this manner of breeding legiti¬ 
mate, and is the breeder justified in re¬ 
sorting sui-reptitiously to such means to 
advance the fancy quality of his stock ? 
I would reply, that everything depends 
upon his subsequent course. To palm 
off the results of such crossing prema¬ 
turely, is bound to invite a harvest of 
curses from confiding purchasers. The 
Plymouth Rock, long after it had ac¬ 
quired permanent characteristics, was 
found to be behind its ideal as to size, 
fullness of plumage, and brightness of 
color, was crossed with the Light Rrah- 
ma, and the product of the second gener¬ 
ation was disseminated generally as 
thoroughbreds. When the product of 
such eggs, sold at $3 per sitting, grew up 
and developed a plentiful supply of leg 
feathers, it seemed to the buyers as 
though each crowing of the young cock¬ 
erels was a crow of derision at paying 
so highly for mongrels. Of this affair, 
it is needless to say that the ultimate 
event of this cross fully justified it ; but 
the dissemination of the stock was pre¬ 
mature. Of a different nature, however, 
was the cross of Leghorns with Minor¬ 
cas. If such a course had a practical 
advantage, it is quite another feature. 
The Leghorn could never have helped 
the Minorca from the beauty standpoint. 
Perhaps we may justly lay the blame of 
the affair—which dates back to a time 
when good Minorcas were scarce and 
high, and the low-priced demand active 
—upon the would-be cheap buyers. 
f. w. PROCTOR. 
AILING ANIMALS. 
ANSWERS BY DR. F. L. KILBORNE. 
Injury to Mare's Knees ; Turnips or Corn-and- 
Cob Meat; Horse Manure or Hog Manure. 
1. My horse was driven so hard a little over two 
months ago, as to strain her knee joints. She 
was very lame for a time, limps but little now. 
Her joints are swollen quite badly. How can I 
reduce the swelling and prevent lameness ? Are 
liot-water applications proper at such times V 
Are hot vinegar and salt any better ? 2. How 
many turnips are equal to one quart of corn-and- 
cob meal for a cow ? 3. If a cord of horse man¬ 
ure is worth $3, what is hog manure worth ? The 
hogs were fed wholly on offal from the city. o. a. 
Fitchburg, Mass. 
1. The hot-water applications were as 
good as anything you could have applied 
during the early or inflammatory stage, 
the water to be applied several times 
daily as hot as the hand could bear. The 
hot vinegar and salt would have an¬ 
swered the same purpose, and being more 
astringent, might be better in some cases. 
Now that the inflammation has, prob¬ 
ably subsided, rub actively several times 
daily with soap liniment (to be obtained 
already made up, of any druggist). Use 
but little of the liniment each time, rub¬ 
bing it well into the skin, with as much 
friction as the horse will bear. Later, 
if the knees remain enlarged, paint two 
or three times a week with the compound 
tincture of iodine. Should the skin be¬ 
come blistered, apply less frequently. 
2. The following table shows the aver¬ 
age composition of turnips and corn-and- 
cob meal: 
Carbohy- 
Water. Protein, drates. Fat. 
Turnips.90.5 1.1 7.5 .2 
Corn-and-cob meal.. 15 . 8.5 65 . 3.5 
It will be seen that it would require 
nearly eight pounds of turnips to supply 
the protein in one pound of corn-and-cob 
meal. Multiplying the fat in each case 
by 2%, and adding to the carbohydrates 
(because one per cent of fat produces as 
much heat in the animal as 2)4 per cent 
of carbohydrates), we have eight per 
cent in the turnips as compared with 
73.75 per cent for the corn-and-cob meal, 
or over nine times as much. It will thus 
require about nine pounds of turnips to 
furnish as much nutriment as one pound 
of corn-and-cob meal. But this propor¬ 
tion would not always represent the 
relative value or effect of each on the 
cow. Very much would depend upon the 
ration being fed. If cows were being 
fed exclusively upon dry feed, then the 
nine pounds of turnips would be worth 
considerably more than the one pound of 
corn-and-cob meal, by supplying needed 
succulency ; but if the cows were already 
receiving sufficient succulent food in the 
form of other roots or ensilage, then the 
turnips would not be as desirable as the 
meal. In order to determine which of 
two foods of equal nutritive value would 
be most likely to give the best results, it 
would be necessary to know what foods 
were to be combined with them in the 
ration. 
3. The composition or value of both 
horse and hog manure varies so greatly, 
that it would be impossible to give a 
definite answer to this question. The 
Cornell Experiment Station bulletin 
gives the fertilizing value of one ton of 
horse manure as $2.21, and of one ton of 
hog manure as $3.29, when produced 
by liberal feeding, and sufficient bed¬ 
ding in each case to keep the animals 
clean. On this basis, if a cord of horse 
manure cost $3, a cord of hog manure 
produced under similar conditions would 
be worth about $4.50. If the “offal 
from the city ” is slaughterhouse offal, 
the pig manure would be worth consid¬ 
erably more than if the pigs were fed 
hotel slops or garbage. 
Injury To a Cow’s Teat. 
My Jersey cow had a teat hurt on the side (I 
think a cow stepped on it). The end stopped up 
so that I had to use a knitting needle to open it 
so that I could milk. It has healed, but it milks 
hard, and I get only about half as much milk as 
from any of the other teats. Is there anything I 
can do for it ? s. 
Cayuga, N. Y. 
Dilate the opening by introducing a 
slender goose-quill, not exceeding one- 
eighth inch in diameter, and tie it in so as 
to allow it to remain until the next milk¬ 
ing. Replace it after each milking until 
the opening has been sufficiently dilated. 
The diminished milk flow is due to the 
inflammation which followed the injury. 
A full flow of milk will, probably, re¬ 
turn to that quarter after the next 
calving. 
In forgetfulness there is danger. You may put off 
taking the medicine until It Is too late. When you 
feel the cold coming, take Jayne’s Expectorant. 
The Family Pill—Jayne’s Sanative.— Adv. 
Cows barren 3 years 
MADE TO BREED. 
p™* Moore Brothers, Albany, n. y. 
NEWTON’S 
LATEST IMPROVED 
DEHORNERS 
save time and money by dehorning 
your cattle. Write as for special 
Information an the subject. 
H.H. BROWN MFG. CO. 
DECATUR. IL.U 
POULTRY 
We keep every. 
_ _ thlnrin the 
. POBLT&T TT!rK T Fencing, Feed, Incubst- 
’ ors, Live Stock, Brooder*—anything— 1't‘s 
: our business. Call or let ue send you our 
;; illustrated catalogue—it's free for the ask- , 
, . ing —it’s worth having. 
<► Excelsior Wire & Poultry Supply Co. 
<, 28 Vesey Street, New York City. 
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PRAIRIE STATE INCURATOR 
LEADS THE WORLD. 
WE ARE GENERAL AGENTS | 
AND HEADQUARTERS FORi 
THE BEST POULTRY SUP-| 
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tion. HENRY A. DREER, 
714 Chestnut’St., Philadelphia. ' 
THH IXFSOVIO 
VICTOR Incubator 
H.toha. Cklak.B* ky Stum. Abaelitaly 
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1XCEISI0II iKuOstor 
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GEO. II. UTAH I.. 
,114^101888^6111 Ht. Quincy.III. 
47 
Guernseys. 
225 purebred Guernseys of the best American and 
Island breeding. Butter average, whole herd, 318 
pounds per head. No catalogue. Come and make 
your own selection. 
ELLERSLIE STOCK FARM. 
RHINECLIFF, N. Y. 
JERSEY CATTLE FOR SALE. 
R E CUANUnM ) 907 Liberty 88., Pittsburgh, Pa 
a r. On«nnUE, •) Farm.Edgewonh.P.F.W.ic.B.R 
Holsteins are Money Makers 
They are strong and rugged. They give a big pail 
f ullot good milk. They make the best use of the 
coarse farm fodder. They are gentle, happy, and 
seldom sick. When done at the pall they ornament 
the butcher’s block. They are prepotent, and alwavs 
stanm their good qualities upon their calves. THE 
HOLSTEIN IS THE BUSINESS COW. The 
best blood Is found in the herd of 
1.1. CORTELYOU, Neshanlc Station N, J, 
EIGHT FIRST-CLASS STALLIONS 
for Jersey Cattle. Seven are Clvdesdale, and one is 
an Imported Coach. C. BORDWKLL. Batavia. O. 
Reg. P Chinas Berkshires 
and Chester Whites. Choice 
service Boars and bred Sows, 
for 30 days, to reduce stock 
quick. Special cut prices on 
above. Pigs all ages. Poultry. 
Hamilton & Co. Cochranvllle. Chester Co. Pa. 
F. H. CATES & SONS, 
Chittenango, N. Y. UOLAND-CH IN AS 
Well established and reliable. Write. 
Cheshires from Foundation Herd 
J have now shipped 471 times to men l had sold to 
before. Noted for lean meat and rapid growth. 
E. W. DAVIS. Torringford, Conn. 
Maple Farm Duck Yards! 
The largest and finest Pekin Ducks on this 
Continent. We have 2,500 of these mammoth 
birds in our 'yards. Eggs In season, fertility 
guaranteed. The new and Illustrated edition of 
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with each order for eggs or birds. Price, 25 cents. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue. 
JaMES RANKIN, South Easton, Mass. 
WflitP Most profitable fowl. Choice 
Millie M jailUOlltO cockere)s for sa]e 20 other 
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PINE TREK FaKM. Jamesburg, N. J. 
Turkeys—W. H. Turkeys and Toulouse Geese. Rest 
strains.Stampforcir. Stanley Will lams, Kennedy.N.Y 
OEATH TO LICE 
A Disinfectant Powder for 
Poultry Vermin Sample 10c. 
Book Free. D. J. Lambert. Box 307. Apponaug. R I. 
Crushed Oyster Shells for Poultry 
Bone Meal, Crushed Flint, Calcite, Granulated Bone, 
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YORK CHEMICAL WORKS. Box 691, YORK. PA. 
MAKE HENS 
JThi.sPrleeleM* Secret of Succeft* with Poultry i» 
| fully told in our New Poultry Hook which is mint 
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™L Business Hen 
male e» money for the busmens man. We telj 
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_THE I. W. MILLER CO.. Box 144. Freeport. Ill 
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plans, and IIOW TO MAKE POILTKY PAY. Sent 
pm paid JOH N BAUSCHE R. Jr. 
tor 15c to. 
Box 68- FltKKPOKT, ILLS. 
wo Great EGG MAKERS 
Uflyu’C green bone cutter. 
IHHNH O GKANITE CRYSTAL Grit. 
For Poultry. Cash or instalments. 
F. W. MANN CO., MILFORD, MASS. 
THE CROWN Ml&Ss 
__ Cutting green 
r or the ponltryman. Best in the world 
~ nd ?<. 
hones. 
Lowest in price. Send for circular and testi¬ 
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■SI:^KKMou|ajor. 
be hatched. It is the best. Absolutely 
self-regulating. Olentangy Brooders only 
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A SURE WINNER. 
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I We manufacture a greater vari¬ 
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Testimonials by DES MOINES INC’B. CO. 
the yard —Box 90 DES MOINES, IOWA. 
WE WAVE BEEN ASKED 
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